UK Freezes aid to Zambia due to Corruption
Britain has frozen bilateral funding to Zambia on suspicion that $4 million they channelled into a social welfare scheme may have been misused, State House has confirmed.
The social cash transfer scheme is a donor-supported programme under which the government relays money to vulnerable households in rural areas in the country.
On Monday, British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, tweeted that Britain had frozen all bilateral funding until audit results are known, adding “#UKAid takes a zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption.”
Presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda also confirmed the development today, saying President Edgar Lungu ordered an inquiry three months ago into possible “misuse” of the aid funds between 2012 and now, and that a number of suspects were due to be prosecuted.
“They notified us about the suspension of aid to the social cash transfer scheme but all other forms of bilateral aid are ongoing,” Chanda said. “Following the investigations, the secretary to the cabinet actually presented a report to the president on Friday.”
Reports yet to be confirmed indicate that Finland have also frozen funding to Zambia.
The social cash transfer scheme is a donor-supported programme under which the government relays money to vulnerable households in rural areas in the country.
On Monday, British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, tweeted that Britain had frozen all bilateral funding until audit results are known, adding “#UKAid takes a zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption.”
Presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda also confirmed the development today, saying President Edgar Lungu ordered an inquiry three months ago into possible “misuse” of the aid funds between 2012 and now, and that a number of suspects were due to be prosecuted.
“They notified us about the suspension of aid to the social cash transfer scheme but all other forms of bilateral aid are ongoing,” Chanda said. “Following the investigations, the secretary to the cabinet actually presented a report to the president on Friday.”
Reports yet to be confirmed indicate that Finland have also frozen funding to Zambia.